Social Impact Of YouTube HomeHome > Group B Workspace > Learning Activity 4-C-1



===The Effects Of Web 2.0 On Our Culture ----

Introduction

According to Webopedia.org, Web 2.0 refers to the increasing collaborative online environment. The rise of dynamic web applications allow users to actively consume, create, and share data. Unfortunately, the increasing ability to share data comes at a cost. Users are often unaware of the dramatic positive and negative effects that these tools have on our culture. For example, although data is freely accessible to view and post, few consider the possible security and privacy consequences.



The Obvious YouTube

What is Web 2.0 or What is The Social Impact of YouTube?


Before the launch of YouTube in 2005, there were few easy methods available for ordinary computer users who wanted to post videos online. With its simple interface, YouTube made it possible for anyone with an Internet connection to post a video that a worldwide audience could watch within a few minutes. The wide range of topics covered by YouTube has turned video sharing into one of the most important parts of Internet culture.
An early example of the social impact of YouTube was the success of the Bus Uncle video in 2006. It shows a heated conversation between a youth and an older man on a bus in Hong Kong, and was discussed widely in the mainstream media. Another YouTube video to receive extensive coverage is guitar which features a performance of Pachelbel's Canon on an electric guitar. The name of the performer is not given in the video, and after it received millions of views The New York Times revealed the identity of the guitarist as Jeong-Hyun Lim, a 23-year-old from South Korea who had recorded the track in his bedroom. [1]


Interesting Quote.....


"The philosophy focuses on the idea that the people who consume media, access the Internet, and use the Web shouldn't passively absorb what's available -- rather, they should be active contributors, helping customize media and technology for their own purposes, as well as those of their communities."[2]

If that statement is even remotely true then nothing screams Web 2.0 as much as youtube. It is one of the most active user contributing technologies that we know of today. With this being said...what are its effects on our culture? Well, In case you're living in a closed box, the answer is everything. Everything is effected by youtube.
Don't believe me, take a look

















While its easy to dismiss the simplicity of this answer, the fact of the matter remains that youtube is now becoming both the cause and effect of our culture.

For more information regarding Youtube's Impact on Society, Click HERE


Social Engineering Through Social Media

Social engineering is a two-edged sword in social networking. Web 2.0 applications can be improved to be more user-friendly and engaging, but the same data used for this can be manipulated to commit fraud and invade our privacy. This kind of crime has grown dramatically through Web 2.0 applications. In a recent article entitled, The Dangers of Social Networking, Kaspersky Labs outlines the vulnerabilities. Symantec also produced a whitepaper on recent Internet security trends. As a recent Carnegie Mellon study (drill down page) points out, millions of social security numbers may even be at risk.

symantec_graph.jpg


Picture_1.pngThe World of Skype or "Skyping"Picture_1.png

Why pick-up the phone and make a long distance call when you can "video chat" for free? Skype or as some say "Skyping" provides users with the ability to make free voice and video calls. Once a username and password are established simply add friends, family, colleagues, etc to your Skype contact list and you're well on your way to free voice and video communication. Skype Co-founders Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis aimed to "provide a simple, reliable and friendly communications tool that just works... allowing people to communicate with friends, families, and colleagues more flexibly, more cost effectively, and with better sound quality than ever previously imagined". Since its debut in 2003 Skype has won world technology awards and is now responsible for 12% of global international calling minutes and in 2009 36.1 billion minutes of Skype-to-Skype calls alone. It truly is in a global communication league all its own. How do you acquire the ability to Skype? Access "Get Skype" download the version you need and build your contact list.

skype_screen_shot.jpg


References
What is Web 2.0? 06/22/2010. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/Web_2_point_0.html
Predicting Social Security Number from Private Data. 6/22/2010. http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/07/02/0904891106.full.pdf+html
The Dangers of Social Networking. 6/22/2010.http://www.securelist.com/en/analysis/204792113/The_Dangers_of_Social_Networking
Symantec Global Internet Security Threat Report. April 2008 Volume XIII. http://eval.symantec.com/mktginfo/enterprise/white_papers/b-whitepaper_internet_security_threat_report_xiii_04-2008.en-us.pdf
[1] Youtube Social Impact
[2] What is Web 2.0
About Skype. 6/25/2010. http://about.skype.com
The World Technology Network. 6/25/2010. http://www.wtn.net/2004/bio95.html